Critical Thinking

Critical thinking has had its roots a long time ago, in the mid to late 20th century. It has been the subject of much debate since the times of early Greek philosophers such as Plato and Socrates and has continued to be a subject of discussion into the modern age.

It is the ability to think clearly, rationally and understand the logical connection between ideas. By applying critical thinking, we make objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgement. This process of thinking engages in reflective and independent thinking. Unlike the accumulation of facts and knowledge, by applying critical thinking we are mentally encouraged to think about things in certain ways so as to arrive at the best possible solution at the present state of mind. It is the awakening of the intellect to the study of itself. 

This may all sound very complicated but it is indeed merely a habit of mind that can be practised upon. Anyone who has started thinking can learn to think critically. The workshops below help participants be aware, understand and improve critical thinking while applying the strategies presented. All it takes is knowledge, understanding and of course persistence and practice.

Teacher Training Workshop Series:

Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum

Critical Thinking: Sharpening The Thinking Skills Of Our Students

Critical thinking is a skill that will serve students well throughout their lives. In fact, it is relevant to all aspects of learning at any level. It can be used in a wide range of situations, from identifying and correcting problems in academic work, to solving problems in everyday life. The ability to recognise an argument, evaluate and provide arguments in order to formulate one’s own stance is an essential skill that all students require. Studies have found that the use of Critical Thinking can greatly improve a student’s grades.

Therefore, this workshop would help teachers explore the benefits of critical thinking by helping them understand what critical thinking is all about and exposing them to activities that have proven beneficial for students at all developmental levels. Teachers would first be trained on how to think critically and then some hands-on work on how they could use critical thinking themselves and help instil these skills across the curriculum. Critical thinking is the key to learning as it helps students to develop an argument through imagining and exploring the alternatives.

Aim:

To train teachers to help and encourage students become critical thinkers, as this is a skill that can be learnt, improved upon, and polished with practice.

Objectives:

• To understand what critical thinking is
• To understand the importance of critical thinking
• To introduce the basic components of critical thinking, ways to build those components into the design of what is taught, and ways to make that design effective

Expected Outcome:

By the end of the workshop participants should have:

• Acquired a good understanding of issues relating to teaching and learning for the fostering of productive thought in the classroom

• Form a basic concept of critical thinking, understanding in general why it is essential to the mastery of content and effective day-to-day problem solving
• Form a basic concept of the effective and cognitive principles & strategies essential to critical teaching

Teacher Training Workshop Series:

Critical Thinking for Pre-schoolers

Critical Thinking: Sharpening the thinking skills of our young learners

 

Children come in various different ability ranges and to help maximise their potential, it is crucial that we try to engage their minds as much as they are able to. Every child has a mind that needs constant stimulation to discover the hidden potential. This can be achieved through the stretching of their minds that helps unlock their talents. This can be done by teaching them critical thinking.

Critical thinking is a skill that will serve children well throughout their lives. Since critical thinking is a habit that should be learnt and practised early in life, it is important to teach children how to do it. As children are naturally inquisitive, it is important to teach this skill during the early years. A good critical thinker tends to learn more quickly, as well as more in-depth, as compared to someone with poor critical thinking skills. Therefore, the earlier this skill is learnt, the better the application.

This workshop would help teachers explore the benefits of critical thinking simply by exposing them to activities that have proven beneficial for children at all developmental levels. Teachers would first be trained on how to think critically and then some hands-on work on how they could use critical thinking themselves and help instil early critical thinking in young learners in the classroom.

 

Aim:

To help teachers explore the benefits of critical thinking by exposing them to activities that have proven beneficial for young children.

 

Objectives:

• To understand what critical thinking is
• To understand the importance of critical thinking
• To introduce the basic components of critical thinking, ways to build those components into the design of what is taught, and ways to make that design effective specifically for pre-schoolers

 

Expected Outcome:

By the end of the workshop participants should have:

• Acquired a good understanding of issues relating to teaching and learning for the fostering of productive thought for young learners
• Learnt how to incorporate critical thinking components in activities for the young
• Form a basic concept of the affective and cognitive principles & strategies essential to critical teaching

Teacher Training Workshop Series:

Critical Thinking for Students

Critical Thinking: Sharpening the thinking skills of our students

Students are always encouraged to think critically. But when teachers are not encouraging critical thought process in the classroom, how can we expect students to learn to think critically? The resources available are rather deep and may be difficult for a young learner to understand. Unfortunately, there are no formal lessons on how to think critically in school. Therefore, how does a young student with limited understanding capacity use critical thinking approaches in his/her learning? Most students are required to think critically as they move on to a higher educational level. But critical thinking should start as early as possible. How?

This workshop aims to help students to be aware of their thoughts with skills on how to improve their thinking pattern. Critical thinking is not difficult but takes practice to perfect. Simple strategies will be discussed in an interesting manner that students would find hard to forget, and therefore would likely use it more and more often until it becomes an unconscious and natural act.

Note: This workshop can be customised to suit the level of students from primary to high school

Corporate Training Workshop Series:

Critical Thinking for Adults

Critical Thinking: Sharpening your thinking skills with easy-to-follow daily strategies

 

Everyone is agreeable that critical thinking is crucial in today’s world. There are numerous articles and resources on how to be a critical thinker. Unfortunately, most of these resources are rather lengthy; deep and sometimes technical with less familiar jargons. With limited time for someone who juggles work and family life, understanding may be compromised. Moreover, executives are often encouraged to think critically. However, there are no formal lessons on how to think critically be it at school or college. Research has consistently demonstrated that when clear goals are associated with learning, it occurs more easily and rapidly.

This workshop helps people working in any organisation to be aware of their thoughts with skills on how to improve their thinking pattern. It is about making thinking better, more concise, accurate, relevant, deeper and of course, more effective. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the principles of being an active thinker and systematically looking at their own thinking for clarity, significance and depth. Critical thinking is not difficult but takes practice to perfect. Simple strategies will be discussed in an interesting manner that participants would find hard to forget; therefore usage increases until it becomes an unconscious and natural act.